Blockade stopping Gaza reconstruction: ITUC

One year after the devastation of Gaza, which cost over 2,000 lives and destroyed thousands of buildings and vital infrastructure, Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory, mirrored by Egypt, is stopping vital relief funds and materials from reaching the beleaguered people of Gaza.

A backroom deal between Israel and Qatar leaves Qatar effectively in control of the limited rebuilding effort to date while aid pledges from the rest of the world are stalled.

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said: “Handing control of reconstruction to Qatar provides no guarantee of security for Israel, and will put the prospects of peace and democratic development in Palestine even further out of reach. The international community must put real pressure on the Netanyahu government to negotiate for peaceful co-existence of two sovereign states, in line with the UN resolutions. Lifting the blockade and allowing international supervision of reconstruction must be the starting point.”